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Research Report - Making the Grade: Fractions in Your Schools

Abstract

This report is the first in a series of PROM/SE Research Reports highlighting key findings from the PROM/SE data collected from over 60 participating districts and 200,000 students in Michigan and Ohio. The series, targeted to superintendents, highlights gaps in student achievement and suggest solutions for improved teaching and learning. The first issue, Making the Grade: Fractions in Your Schools, uses PROM/SE student achievement data in seven subtest areas to highlight learning in grades 3-12. Key findings emerging from the data show that large numbers of students are not learning foundational fractions such as equivalent fractions and common denominators, making later success in more advanced mathematics difficult. Further analysis found in the report suggests that third grade is a crucial time for teaching and learning foundational concepts.